Emomotimi Agama, director-general (DG) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), says Nigeria could unlock $500 billion in untapped agricultural and mineral assets by formalising commodities and warehouse receipts.
Agama spoke on Tuesday at the national workshop of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) in Abuja.
He said the move would transform the resources into tradeable securities, helping the economy shift from its dependence on the oil and gas industry while generating national wealth.
Agama explained that the Investments and Securities Act 2025 has given the SEC the authority to take decisive actions that promote the commodities sector.
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He said the Act strengthens the SEC’s regulatory focus, allowing it to operate with the clarity and authority required to oversee a rapidly growing market.
“Today, I speak not just about the Investments and Securities Act (ISA) 2025 as a legislative milestone, but as a strategic blueprint to propel Nigeria into the league of top global economies,” the DG said.
“This Act is not merely an update—it is a revolution. It dismantles legacy constraints, embeds global best practices, and positions our market as the engine room for national prosperity.
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“The question before us is no longer if Nigeria can achieve a $1 trillion economy, but how soon—and the capital market, under this new Act, will be the accelerant.”
Also, he noted that the SEC now has explicit powers to shut down ponzi schemes and prosecute offenders, bringing an end to the era of “get-rich-quick” scams that erode investor confidence.
“Investors are now covered for losses from revoked dealer licenses—a long-awaited safeguard that will boost participation. Trust is the currency of our capital markets. Without it, liquidity dries up,” he added.
On March 29, the SEC announced that President Bola Tinubu had signed the ISA 2025 into law.
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